On January 3, 2018, Long Island Rail Road President Phillip Eng announced the LIRR had completed work to replace the Port Washington electrical substation, on time and on budget. The new substation, which was built at a cost of $26.2 million, replaces an earlier brick-and-mortar substation that had been in service more than 30 years and was beyond its useful life.

The new substation will ensure the continued reliability of Port Washington Branch train service by maintaining a robust power system for the electrified third rails that provide the traction power that moves trains and keeps them lit and temperature controlled. With greater capacity, the new substation will enable the anticipated growth in train service that is expected to coincide with the start of LIRR service to Grand Central in 2022.